Readers sound off on modern families, a memento garden and a rocket crash

Saint Albans: I would like to respond to Voicer Laurence Haynes’ letter, in which he named the times we’re living in “The Age of the Collapse of the Human Family.” On a recent Saturday, while taking a break in the Taco Bell across from the Elmont Library, I was having a small snack across from a gentleman who was there with his family. They were enjoying themselves, dining on Americanized Mexican food, conversing and laughing as all families do when gathered together. We are no longer living in the days of “Leave It to Beaver” or “The Brady Bunch” and, sadly, neither are we fortunate enough to exist in a Jetsons-like future utopia (but keep a close eye out for all these AIs — there might be trouble later, just saying).

Families of any size, large or small, and of any configuration have learned over the passage of time to adapt to new circumstances and, in general, all families want the same thing. They strive for a safe place to live, to be useful to society, to watch children grow and become productive citizens in their own right and be as prosperous as their own ambitions will allow.

The human family has not collapsed. Rather, it has transformed itself with the changing times. Even back then, the main function of the family was as I described it today. To return to those days would be nice — the lack of internet and cable notwithstanding — but learning to change with the advancement of time and impart that change to the next generation would be more rewarding. Anthony Vasser

Floral Park: To Voicer Billy Meyerback, who sold the Daily News as a youngster: Growing up in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn after WWII, when I was 10 or 11, a good pal and myself would go out and buy 20 or 30 newspapers, both the Daily News and the Daily Mirror, from the local newsstand at the Gates Ave. L train station. As I recall, the papers cost 3 cents. We would walk along Broadway from Halsey St. to Ralph Ave., stopping in every saloon to sell a paper for a nickel, a dime or whatever we could get. On weekends, we would add our homemade shoeshine box to the evening and shine a pair of shoes along with selling the paper. I forget my nightly income but it was probably far less than Meyerback’s. I guess we had the same work ethic as young boys in different eras. They were certainly the “good old days.” Ed Rankin

Midland Park, N.J.: Mr. Meyerback, the IRS is on hold for you… Anthony Merlino

Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.: I am making a unique garden in honor of my wife Lydia. “The Garden of Love” is being made because I love her so much! It will be finished in a week. A large red wood heart pops from the center, with a professional wood frame border around the garden, which is filled with gorgeous flowers. Professional mulch in between the flowers results in a spectacular, stunningly beautiful, classy and romantic view from the street to honor my wife and our love. Behind the heart and flower garden will be a vegetable garden where I’m growing cherry tomatoes, zucchini, kale and more! Fred Trueblood

Brooklyn: I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Mets organization for changing the Thursday home opening day to Friday. It gave me and my family the opportunity to enjoy our second Passover Seder. I hope Steve Cohen did too. The storm has yet to come. Bill Glassman

Hammonton, N.J.: New York City Councilman Justin Brannan asks, “Why should the guy who double parked his 1988 Toyota pay the same as the guy with the 2024 Bentley?” (“Soak-the-rich tickets,” April 28). The answer, Justin, is that both people committed the same offense. It is not constitutional to apply the same law differently to citizens. This is just a money-grab to further punish rich people and help fund the cost of taking care of the migrants who crossed our border illegally. William Cook

Dayton, Ohio: S.E. Cupp points out that, “The [Dominion] lawsuit exposed an embarrassing and damaging behind-the-scenes look at the open disdain Fox executives and on-air talent had for former President Donald Trump, his election lie surrogates and even their own viewers, all while helping Trump spread his false narratives about the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 insurrection that followed” (“Little hope that Fox after Carlson will change,” op-ed, April 27). So, Fox has disdain for truth, Trump and its viewers, and Cupp is right — Fox after Carlson won’t change. It won’t because it knows its viewers don’t mind if Fox privately doesn’t believe what it says publicly as long as its pronouncements are what its viewers want to hear. That is, Fox believes you can’t fix stupid, so you might as well make some money from it. Vic Presutti

Staten Island: In response to my fellow Staten Islander, Voicer Ellen Settanni, in regards to her answer to fellow Islander Voicer Ralph D’Esposito’s letter, I offer this: Maybe the definitions for woke you were really looking for were: smug, condescending, egotistical and, worst of all, full of themselves. Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back, dearie. Alfred J. Lebrio

Highland Falls, N.Y.: For ex-president “Grab ‘em by the p—y” at his rape trial: You say you would not rape E. Jean Carroll because, “She’s not my type.” What type would you rape? Your answer seems to reveal the idea of raping some women is fine. I’m sure many would like to know so they can avoid you. Joe Cyr

Old Tappan, N.J.: It’s always the same — MAGA supporters parroting what they hear on Fox News, One America News Network or Newsmax. No facts given. Just repeat all the mantras pounded into your heads day after day by the misinformationists. Do you really think President Biden would not love to see the Russian invasion in Ukraine end? Do you really think he would not love to curb inflation, solve the border issue and lower costs for the middle class? He is president, not king. He needs Republican votes to pass anything, but even though the majority of Americans support things like gun control and abortion rights, Republicans will not help. It’s more important for them to get reelected and receive campaign funds from lobbyists than to help the American people. Carl Graves

Ridgewood, N.J.: Re “The sound of silencing” (editorial, April 28): The Republican Party is dying. Their actions to eliminate all but their own agenda is suicidal. We see the results in Montana, Tennessee, Arizona and now our Congress. To deny elected representation from voicing of opposing views borders tyranny. From assault weapons to women’s rights, the Republicans are losing their broad voter base. The Republican Party has forgotten they exist for all the people they represent. Peter J. Peirano

Belle Harbor: I rarely agree with Bramhall’s political cartoons, but his piece on April 26 was dead-on. God help this country if the idiots in both parties give us this unfit pair again. Choosing between Trump and Biden is like being asked whether you want mustard or ketchup on your crap sandwich. Bobby Nelsen

Dix Hills, L.I.: Recently, the biggest rocket in the history of rockets failed to launch into space. I know that everyone said it was still a great event, and I guess I agree. It was a giant step forward for space exploration. But I was wondering how all the fish, whales and sea life felt after the failure. Every time someone wants to erect a windmill offshore, operate a large ship or submarine or build a pipeline under the ocean, ecologists have a long list of negative impacts on marine life. I have yet to hear about a gigantic rocket filled with fuel that blew up and rained into the Gulf being a bad thing. Barbara Lorge